How far is Houston, AK from Palmer, AK?

The driving distance from Houston, AK to Palmer, AK is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km), with a travel time of about 00h 37m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 15m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM AKDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This is an easy same-day return drive. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
28.72 mi
00h 37m
Flight
23.21 mi
37.35 km direct

This is an easy same-day return drive.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Houston.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
23.21 mi
Kilometers
37.35 km
Flight Time
00h 02m

Driving Distance

Road route
28.72 mi
Kilometers
46.22 km
Drive Time
00h 37m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 00h 37m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Palmer
Sun, Apr 19, 2:56 AM AKDT
Return by in Houston
Sun, Apr 19, 3:34 AM AKDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Houston
2026-04-19T02:18
Arrive Palmer
Sun, Apr 19, 2:56 AM AKDT
Route Timing
00h 37m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
7:00 AM to 7:00 PM AKDT
Leave when it suits your day
Arrive between
7:38 AM to 7:38 PM AKDT

This is a short drive, so your comfort window is wide. Traffic and current weather matter more than the clock.

Leave by
7:14 PM AKDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 01h 30m at the destination.
Back in Houston
10:00 PM AKDT
Flexible departure

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Wasilla
AK

City in Alaska, USA

From Houston
13.4 mi
00h 18m
To Palmer
15.3 mi
00h 18m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
45°F
Sunday

Chance Light Snow

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
43°F
Sunday

Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely

Starts
Sun, Apr 19 6:00 AM AKDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Palmer.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Palmer.

  1. 1

    Start on George Parks Highway

    4.7 mi · 7 min · George Parks Highway

  2. 2

    Continue on West Parks Highway

    11.8 mi · 18 min · West Parks Highway

  3. 3

    Turn left onto East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

    9.6 mi · 15 min · East Palmer-Wasilla Highway

  4. 4

    Continue on East Palmer Wasilla Highway

    1867 ft · 49 sec · East Palmer Wasilla Highway

  5. 5

    Continue on West Evergreen Avenue

    1423 ft · 51 sec · West Evergreen Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn right onto South Colony Way

    4 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way

  7. 7

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · South Colony Way

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Palmer.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Straightforward drive

The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.

Directions
7 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
24.4 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West Parks Highway
11.8 mi · 41%
East Palmer-Wasilla Highway
9.63 mi · 34%
George Parks Highway
4.74 mi · 17%
East Palmer Wasilla Highway
0.35 mi · 1%
West Evergreen Avenue
0.27 mi · 1%
South Colony Way
0 mi
Longest Stretch

West Parks Highway

Continue on West Parks Highway

11.8 mi · 00h 18m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A short regional drive

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

Drive Time
00h 37m
Quick drive
Same-Day Return
01h 16m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+5.5 mi
23.2 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Wasilla
00h 18m from Houston
Leave By
7:14 PM AKDT
Flexible departure
Weather Watch

Chance Light Snow leaving Houston and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Palmer.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Houston to Palmer?

The road trip is about 28.7 miles (46.2 km) and usually takes 00h 37m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route is short enough to handle as a quick errand, commute, or easy same-day return without much planning overhead.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Wasilla is a useful midpoint, sitting about 13.4 miles from Houston and 15.3 miles from Palmer.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 23.2 miles (37.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 5.5 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM AKDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:14 PM AKDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $5.00 one way or $10.00 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 9 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Light Snow around Houston and Chance Rain And Snow then Rain And Snow Likely near Palmer.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Palmer. Straight-line distance: 23.21 mi (37.35 km).

Houston

#1 Houston

City in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska, United States

Population2,462
Coordinates61.6302800, -149.8180600
Altitude76
CountryUnited States
Palmer

#2 Palmer

City in Alaska, USA

Population7,766
Coordinates61.5994100, -149.1145600
Altitude72
CountryUnited States
Start: AK 3 North (-149.817997, 61.629963)
End: South Colony Way (-149.114582, 61.599443)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 46 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)00h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 43m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 28m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 24m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 21m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.01 gal
3.84 L · about $5.00
Round trip
$10.00
2.02 gal · 7.68 L
Estimated CO2
9 kg one way
Round trip: 18 kg / 40 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.95 $5.00 $10.00
Mid-grade $5.34 $5.39 $10.78
Premium $5.57 $5.62 $11.24
Diesel $6.37 $6.43 $12.86

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Alaska · Apr 19, 2026

There is no time difference between Houston and Palmer. The current time is 02:18:56.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.